Grybow: Architectural History, Basilica and Parish Museum

Grybow lies in the valley of the Biała River on the edge of the Low Beskids. The most important historic monuments are concentrated around the market square; there is also a neo-Gothic basilica, a parish museum and Jewish memorial sites.

Historic Buildings Around the Market Square

The town hall, a neo-Gothic brick building dating from 1902, stands on the north side of the market square. Southeast of the market square is the surviving manor house of the Hoschów family, a Neoclassical building. At 7 Kościuszki Street stands the historic building of the “Sokół” Society. It was built between 1906 and 1910 and retains a clearly recognizable historic form and architectural details.

The construction periods of the basilica and the “Sokół” building overlap in 1909 and 1910. The town hall, dating from 1902, was built earlier; the manor house is classified as a Neoclassical building. This comparison provides a timeline for the dated buildings without equating their distinct architectural features.

Basilica and Parish Museum

The Basilica of Saint Catherine of Alexandria is a neo-Gothic parish church built between 1909 and 1914. Its tower is 77 metres high. The basilica houses the venerated image of Our Lady Przedziwna, dating from 1700, and a wooden Madonna and Child known as the Madonna of Grybow. The church’s architectural history and furnishings make it a distinct attraction alongside the secular buildings around the market square.

The historic rectory was probably built in 1699 and now houses the parish museum. The permanent exhibition is divided into a section on Western and one on Eastern Christian civilization, along with a section on Jewish tradition. The collection includes the painting “Saint Zofia with her Daughters,” dating from 1440. The eastern exhibition section also includes icons, some of which date back to the 17th century.

Jewish History and Remembrance

The synagogue on Kilińskiego Street was built in 1909. A niche for the Aron ha-Kodesh has been preserved inside. Jewish Cemetery No. 130 contains about 50 stone tombstones from the 19th and 20th centuries. A separate military section contains the graves of Jewish soldiers who fell in the First World War.

This is distinct from War Cemetery No. 129 on the southeastern edge of Grybow. It also dates from the First World War and was designed by Hans Mayr. The two cemeteries represent different forms of remembrance: the Jewish cemetery has a designated military section, while No. 129 was designed by Hans Mayr as a war cemetery.

Travelling by Train

Grybow railway station is on line 96 from Tarnów to Leluchów and is served by lines K7/K71 on the Kraków/Tarnów – Nowy Sącz – Krynica-Zdrój route. Train connections and timetables may change, so check them before travelling.

Discover more destinations: Rąbkowa, Kąclowa, Gródek Nad Dunajcem, Piwniczna-Zdrój, Zubrzyk, Uhryń, Mochnaczka Niżna, Berest.

For the main travel overview: Nowy Sącz.